61 Indian truck drivers stuck in Bangladesh due to Covid-19 lockdown
Their family members have demanded immediate steps to bring them back home approaching the Indian authorities
Sixty-one Indian drivers who entered Bangladesh with trucks have been left stranded in the country since April 4.
Approaching the Customs authorities and the Mekhliganj subdivision in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, their family members have demanded immediate steps to bring them back home, The Telegraph India reported.
The families have also threatened that any delay in their return would lead to indefinite protests.
Sources said the 61 trucks had crossed the Bangladesh border through Changrabandha in Cooch Behar on April 4 and entered Burimari — a land port in Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh.
"They were carrying jute seeds and crossed the border during the lockdown with special permission from the central and the state governments. However, after the goods were unloaded, they are not being allowed to cross the border and return home by the Bangladesh and Indian authorities," said Uttam Sarkar, a clearing agent based in Changrabandha.
According to him, the drivers are staying at an enclosed space in Burimari and are not getting much assistance and relief from the authorities.
"Mohammad Farooque, a clearing agent in Bangladesh, has been helping them with food grains. There is complete uncertainty on their return," said Sarkar.
The family members of the drivers have submitted a memorandum to the superintendent of Customs in Changrabandha.
"We want all the drivers to be brought back with the vehicles. They can be kept at a quarantine centre for 14 days and the vehicles can be sanitised. But it is disappointing that no initiative has been taken by the Customs or the Cooch Behar district administration to help them. If such a situation persists, we will be forced to launch indefinite protests," said Saraswati Ghosh, a relative of one of the stranded drivers.
Senior officials of the district administration were tight-lipped.
"All we can say is that there is a restriction on movement of people across the international border. Unless the lockdown is withdrawn, there are little chances that they can be brought back. We would, however, see if appropriate arrangements can be made for them in Burimari," said an official, buying anonymity.
